ACT Fire and Rescue was alerted to the fire on Carleton Street shortly after 11am and arrived to find the home fully engulfed in flames and the roof partially collapsed. No one was at home at the time.

It took firefighters until nearly 1pm to extinguish the fire, but they remained on the scene wetting down the property.

Commander Michael Cochrane from ACT Fire and Rescue said it would take several hours to ensure the fire was completely out, as the weakened structure meant they had to tackle it from outside.

"It is a bit dangerous to go in there and extinguish it because of the risk of the collapse of walls from the outside," Commander Cochrane said.

"The reason there is still smoke rising from the roof is because the roof has collapsed on a lot of burning debris, it would take some time to extinguish properly."

He said early indications suggest the fire started in the kitchen, but firefighters are yet to confirm this.

The Emergency Services Agency had earlier said that firefighters had focused on "the kitchen and family room area which is directly under the section of roof that collapsed".

The HAZMAT unit and three fire trucks are at the scene, and there was localised smoke in the area.

Nearby residents and a school down the street had been advised to remain indoors until the fire was extinguished.

Commander Cochrane said it was a timely warning to Canberrans to ensure they don't keep hot stoves unattended.

"Year 'round, people should always be careful of appliances, whether they be kitchen appliances or heating appliances," he said.

"People should always be careful and make sure you turn things off when you leave the house."

He could not confirm weather the house had a working fire alarm.

The cause of the fire will be investigated.